Chapter 3 — Stepping Out Of The Starting Point (10)

Leon's POV:

"Checkmate," my aunt announced triumphantly, putting an end to our third game. As much as I had hoped to win, I was not surprised to lose.

Despite my disappointment, we continued to play another three games, and to my dismay, I lost all of them.

As we finished our final game, I couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat.

"You got me again..." I muttered in frustration after losing three games in a row. It was evident that I needed more practice and guidance to become better at chess.

As always, my aunt was quick to offer some encouragement, which gave me a glimmer of hope. "Leon, don't be discouraged. Remember that every failure is a chance to learn and grow. If you keep practicing, you will get better. And who knows, maybe next time you'll be the one saying 'checkmate'."

I appreciated her words, knowing that she believed in me, but I couldn't help feeling a little discouraged. Despite my frustration, I knew that I had to keep trying and improving, and with my aunt's guidance, I could become a better player.

After a few moments of silence, my aunt turned to me and asked, "Leon, let me ask you a question. In your opinion, what's the most valuable chess piece?"

I had played enough chess to know the answer to this one. "The queen," I replied confidently, feeling pleased with myself for knowing the obvious answer.

"Why?" Aunt Lirien asked, with a small smile on her face. I could sense that this was going to be more than just a simple question and answer exchange.

"Because the queen is the most powerful piece on the board. It has the ability to move in any direction. It has control over the whole board, and it can make or break a game depending on how it's used," I explained.

Aunt Lirien nodded thoughtfully. "You're right about that. But the queen isn't the most important piece."

I was taken aback by her statement. I had always believed that the queen was the be-all and end-all of chess. "It's not?" I asked, surprised.

"That's right," Aunt Lirien said, a twinkle in her eye. She reached over to the chessboard and picked up a small pawn, holding it up for me to see. "This is the most valuable piece on the board."

I couldn't believe my ears. "That's a pawn, Aunt Lirien," I said, confused.

"That's right," she said, still holding the pawn. "But let me tell you something, Leon. Pawns are the backbone of the game. They are the infantrymen or the foot soldiers, if you will. They are meant to be the first line of defense, to protect the more valuable pieces like the king and queen.

Aunt Lirien moved the pawn to a square a few spaces away, demonstrating its limited mobility. "Think about it, Leon. These pawns can only move forward—not backward, not sideways—only forward. They are the first line of defense, the ones that must take the first hit. But that's not all," she said, moving the pawn in the square forward. "When a pawn is pushed forward so far that it reaches the last rank, it does not become useless. Instead, the player whose pawn it is must promote the pawn to the rank of another piece."

As Aunt Lirien moved the pawn until it reached the last rank, I realized what she meant. The pawn had the potential to become any piece on the board, including the queen, the most powerful piece.

"This is what makes the pawn the most valuable piece on the board, Leon. It may start out small and insignificant, but with careful planning and strategy, it has the potential to become the most powerful piece on the board," As she spoke, Aunt Lirien moved the pawn in the square forward, demonstrating how it could become a more powerful piece once it reached the end of the board. She moved it until it reached the last rank and then changed it into a queen.

"The pawn is valuable because it is the foundation of any good chess strategy," Aunt Lirien continued. "Without pawns, you cannot protect your more important pieces. And as you saw, when a pawn is promoted, it can become one of the most powerful pieces on the board. The pawn may start out as a lowly soldier, but with the right strategy and determination, it can become the most powerful piece on the board. That's why I believe that the pawn is the most valuable piece in the game of chess."

As my aunt finished explaining the value of pawns, I realized the crucial role they played in the game of chess. It had never occurred to me before that pawns were not just sacrificial pieces but had the potential to transform into powerful pieces like the Queen or the Rook. Looking back on our games, I realized that the pawn promotion was what caused me to lose every time. Had I understood the importance of the pawn, perhaps I could have held my own against her or even won.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when Aunt Lirien suddenly spoke up, "And you know, Leon, these pawns can teach you a valuable lesson that may resonate with you and help you face your fears of going outside." She paused, looking at me with a warm smile. "I'm telling you this because I love you, and I care for you, and I want you to break out of your shell."

I looked at her quizzically, wondering what she meant. Sensing my confusion, she continued, "These pawns can't move backward, and the only choice they have is to move forward. They represent those who persevere and never fear taking a step. After a long and arduous journey, they can become someone of great importance, capable of making a difference over the whole board. The game of chess teaches us that every piece on the board is important, even a lowly pawn. While queens can move in any direction and are highly valuable, pawns also play a vital role. Once a pawn reaches the last rank, it has the ability to promote into any other piece, including the powerful queen. If you still have your queen and your pawn promotes to a queen, you can double your advantages on the board, making it an important strategy to consider.

The pawn's journey teaches us the importance of taking small steps towards our goals, even if they seem insignificant at first. Just like how a pawn moves one step at a time towards the other end of the board, we too must take one step at a time towards our aspirations, no matter how daunting they may seem. And just like how a pawn can transform into a queen, we too can transform and become more than we ever thought possible,"

As I listened to her, I realized that I had underestimated the importance of pawns in the game of chess. I had always thought of them as disposable pieces, to be sacrificed if necessary. However, Aunt Lirien had opened my eyes to a new perspective. Even a pawn could become a powerful piece on the board if given the chance.

However, Aunt Lirien's insight extended beyond the chessboard. She related the concept of pawn promotion to my own personal struggles with leaving my comfort zone.

The lesson of the pawn's value is not just applicable in chess, but also in life. As someone who is a reclusive shut-in, I can relate to the pawn's struggle to make a difference. Even now, as I sit here in the hospital, most of my injuries healed, I still find myself hesitant to take a step outside. But just like a pawn, if I don't take action, I won't be able to make progress in life.

Just like a pawn, I needed to take that first step and make a move in order to achieve a promotion. If I continued to stay in my shell and not take risks, I would not be able to advance and reach my full potential.

"I greatly admire pawns because they risk their lives to protect those of great importance, and they aren't afraid to sacrifice themselves in order to win," Aunt Lirien added, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "They are like those who can jump into a cliff without even considering how high it is. They have the courage to act despite the risks."

"Leon, when it feels scary to jump, that's exactly when you should jump," she continued, her words ringing with a sense of urgency. "Otherwise, you'll end up staying in the exact same place your whole life. Don't let fear hold you back from achieving your dreams. Remember, being born weak is a destiny, but staying weak is a choice. You have the power to make a change and grow stronger."

Aunt Lirien's words deeply resonated with me. Just like a pawn, I too could make a difference in the world...

...if only I had the courage to take a step forward.